MBA Costs in the DACH Region for Non-EU Students

    Complete 2026 cost breakdown for international MBA students: tuition, living expenses, visa-related blocked accounts, scholarships and funding options in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

    Total cost for a 2-year MBA: Germany ~€63,000–€88,000, Austria ~€58,000, Switzerland ~CHF 135,000. Visa proof of funds €11,904/year (DE), ~€9,000–€16,000 (AT), ~CHF 21,000–25,000 (CH). Scholarships (DAAD, OeAD, Swiss Excellence) and loans (Prodigy, Brain Capital) available.

    Source: MBA.de – Independent comparison portal since 2003 · Last updated: September 2026

    Tuition Fees Across DACH (2026)

    • Germany: €10,000–€60,000 (public often under €5,000, private €30,000–€60,000)
    • Austria: €15,000–€45,000 for English-taught MBA programmes
    • Switzerland: CHF 35,000–120,000 (IMD ~CHF 115,000, St. Gallen CHF 70,000+)
    • No special tuition surcharge for non-EU students in DE/AT (exception: Baden-Württemberg €1,500/semester)

    Cost of Living per Month

    • Germany: €900–€1,400 (Munich/Frankfurt pricier than Leipzig/Mannheim)
    • Austria: €950–€1,400 (Vienna offers moderate rents)
    • Switzerland: CHF 1,800–2,500 – Europe's highest living costs

    Mandatory Proof of Funds for the Visa

    • Germany: €11,904/year (blocked account via Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle, Deutsche Bank)
    • Austria: €731/month (under 24) or €1,328/month (over 24)
    • Switzerland: ~CHF 21,000–25,000/year proof of living expenses

    Scholarships & Funding for Non-EU Students

    • DAAD scholarships (Germany) – up to €1,200/month + tuition
    • OeAD/Ernst Mach (Austria) – ~€1,150/month
    • Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – full scholarships for research-oriented MBAs
    • School-specific need-based and merit scholarships (IMD, ESMT, WHU, WU)
    • Education loans (e.g. Brain Capital ISA, Prodigy Finance)

    Total 2-Year MBA Cost Estimate

    • Germany (private): €35,000–€60,000 tuition + ~€28,000 living = ~€63,000–€88,000
    • Austria: €30,000 tuition + ~€28,000 living = ~€58,000
    • Switzerland: CHF 80,000 tuition + ~CHF 55,000 living = ~CHF 135,000

    FAQ

    Do non-EU students pay higher tuition in DACH?+

    In Germany and Austria: no (except Baden-Württemberg, €1,500/semester). In Switzerland some universities charge higher fees for non-Swiss residents, depending on the institution.

    Which DACH country is cheapest for international MBA students?+

    Germany – public universities offer MBAs from €10,000 (e.g. HHL Leipzig or Mannheim part-time). Austria follows closely.

    Can I finance my MBA with a part-time job?+

    Partially. Germany allows 140 full days/year, Austria 20 hours/week, Switzerland 15 hours/week from the 7th semester. Student jobs typically cover 30–50% of living costs.

    Are there full scholarships for non-EU students?+

    Yes: DAAD (Germany), OeAD Ernst Mach (Austria), Swiss Government Excellence (Switzerland) plus school-specific merit scholarships at IMD, ESMT, WHU and WU.

    How does the German blocked account work?+

    You deposit ~€11,904 once into a blocked account (Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle, Deutsche Bank). You can withdraw €992 per month – serving as proof of funds for your visa.

    How much does an MBA cost in Germany in total?+

    Public universities: €1,000–€10,000 tuition + ~€24,000 living (2 years) = ~€25,000–€35,000 total. Private top schools (WHU, ESMT, Mannheim, HHL): €35,000–€60,000 tuition + ~€28,000 living = ~€63,000–€88,000.

    What is the cheapest MBA in Switzerland?+

    Geneva Business School and SBS Swiss Business School offer accredited MBAs from CHF 25,000–35,000. Public universities (Zurich Executive MBA, Lucerne) typically undercut private schools. IMD and St. Gallen remain premium tier (CHF 70,000–120,000).

    Sources & data status

    All figures on this page are editorially reviewed. Last updated: September 2026. Data on costs, salaries and rankings is based on the following sources: